One of the biggest challenges for any band is releasing a successful album that breaks them into the mainstream. However, perhaps an even bigger challenge is following up said successful album with another successful album.

This is certainly not a unique problem. Many bands in rock history have been faced with the daunting task of trying to follow up a super-successful album. These bands range from straight-forward rockers to metal giants to pop-rock heavyweights.

Some of these bands managed to follow up a successful album with an even greater success. Def Leppard is a great example of a band that managed to accomplish this feat.

Other bands took a chance and decided to pivot and experiment with their sound. Fleetwood Mac is a prime example of this, even though it was met with mixed results upon release.

Meanwhile, some bands double-downed on their chosen musical style to deliver more hit songs, like Aerosmith and Bon Jovi.

Without further ado, here are eight albums that had hard acts to follow. There’s a good chance you own an album or two from the list below.

• Bon Jovi – ‘New Jersey’ (1988)

  Share

  When you think about the success of 1986’s 'Slippery When Wet,' it’s amazing just how strong its follow-up 'New Jersey' is.  From “Bad Medicine” to “I’ll Be There For You” to “Lay Your Hands On Me” and “Born To Be My Baby,” Bon Jovi really had no business releasing a follow-up this good!

• Aerosmith – ‘Rocks’ (1976)

  Share

  Considering the breakout success of 1975’s 'Toys in the Attic,' pressure had to be high on Aerosmith to deliver, but they did that and then some with 'Rocks,' which yielded classics like “Back in the Saddle” and “Last Child.”

• Def Leppard – ‘Hysteria’ (1987)

  Share

  'Pyromania' was a massive hit and breakthrough for Def Leppard.  So, how does a band top it, especially after their drummer gets into a car accident that resulted in the loss of his left arm?  Write an album so good it pretty much reads as a greatest hits album.
• Pearl Jam – ‘Vs.’ (1993)

  Share

  They say you have your whole life to write your first album, and in rock and roll, the “Sophomore Slump” is a very real thing, especially when you release a critical and commercial smash like 'Ten.'  However, Pearl Jam more than managed to deliver an incredible second studio album.

• AC/DC – ‘For Those About To Rock We Salute You’ (1981)

  Share

  When an album sells four million copies, you’d think it would be a big deal.  But when it follows an album that has gone on to sell 25 million copies like 'Back in Black,' it’s a different story altogether.  Regardless, we salute this AC/DC LP with all cannons in existence.

• Fleetwood Mac – ‘Tusk’ (1979)

  Share

  Similar to 'For Those About To Rock…', 'Tusk' had a nearly impossible task in following 'Rumours.'  Sure, reception was mixed back in 1979, but history has been a little kinder to Tusk than most were when it was first released.
• Metallica – ‘Load’ (1996)

  Share

  'Metallica' (“The Black Album”) was some kind of monster.  (Thanks! We’ll be here all week, and don’t forget to tip your server.)  Following it was going to be difficult for any band. While 'Load' would go on sell five million copies in the U.S., it’s still one of Metallica’s most controversial albums since it’s more hard rock than metal.  Of course, it didn’t help when people bitched and moaned because of their new haircuts.

• Linkin Park – ‘Meteora’ (2003)

  Share

  Think of 'Meteora' as the 'Vs.' of the rap rock/Nu metal genre.  The band’s debut 'Hybrid Theory' was a massive success selling 11 million albums in the U.S., and thanks to songs like “Numb” and “Breaking The Habit,” 'Meteora' debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 charts moving 810,000 in its first week of release.

Get The K-Rock Report Delivered Right To Your Inbox

Get the latest Rock and local stories you need to know about, plus exclusive contests, games, and more.

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.